Northbound lane night closure at Mount Ousley

Transport for NSW Media Release: 21 July 2022

Two northbound lanes on the M1 Princes Motorway will be closed for four nights from Sunday as planned maintenance is brought forward to complete repairs ahead of the possibility of more heavy rain.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the need for these repairs was picked up by Transport for NSW during routine monitoring following recent heavy rain.

“This maintenance work was due to be done in coming months but has been brought forward due to the impact of the unprecedented heavy rain we’ve had so far this year,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“The work will include rehabilitation of nine bore holes (wells) and the cleaning or replacement of the pumps that control water run-off from the Mt Ousley slope.

“The process involves removing the existing pumps from the wells, clearing any sediment and replacing the pumps with new pumps or, in some instances, replacing with existing pumps after cleaning out.”

The spokesperson said this work would be carried out in lanes one and two for just under one kilometre starting about 500-metres north from New Mount Pleasant Road, near the Mount Ousley pumping station.

“We are doing this work to ensure the bores and pumps are in prime working order should more heavy rain eventuate,” the spokesperson said.

The two northbound lanes will be closed between 8pm and 4am from this Sunday 24 July to Wednesday 27 July while the repair and maintenance work is carried out, weather permitting.

A reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and road users.

While there will still be access for heavy vehicles up to 3.5m wide, heavy vehicles wider than 3.5m will be restricted during the northbound closure.

Motorists should allow an extra five minutes travel time while work is carried out.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

Transport for NSW thanks the community for its patience while work is carried out.

This work is not related to findings from investigation work carried out during last week’s four-hour closure of the southbound lanes.

The data retrieved from that is still being assessed.

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